Pajares post filled

The tough task of following Ramón Pajares as general manager of London's Four Seasons Hotel has been given to John Stauss, who is currently managing the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis in the West Indies. He will take up his post in early November.

Mr Staus inherits a hotel that has for years been one of the most profitable in the country.

Under Mr Pajares, who has been appointed managing director of the Savoy Group, the Four Seasons has achieved occupancy and profitability rates that other hotels strive to emulate.

This year, for example, occupancy stands at more than 80%, with an average room rate of £215. In September the figures were even better, with occupancy at 95% on an average achieved room rate of £277.

If the task set for Mr Pajares is to return the Savoy Group to consistent profitability, then Mr Stauss's role is to ensure the Four Seasons maintains its high ranking in the profit league.

The new manager, aged 41, has been with the Four Seasons group since 1982. He worked in its San Francisco and Newport Beach hotels in the USA before moving to the Nevis resort and now to London.

He said: "The challenge of building on the success of Ramón Pajares and taking this famous London hotel, which will be 25 years old next year, towards the next century is highly attractive."